Everyone tries to gain the favor of important people; everyone claims the friendship of those who give out favors.

Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call.

When you please the LORD, you can make your enemies into friends.

People may plan all kinds of things, but the LORD's will is going to be done.

The LORD controls the mind of a king as easily as he directs the course of a stream.

May Almighty God cause the man to have pity on you, so that he will give Benjamin and your other brother back to you. As for me, if I must lose my children, I must lose them."

Ezra said, "Praise the LORD, the God of our ancestors! He has made the emperor willing to honor in this way the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem.

By God's grace I have won the favor of the emperor, of his counselors, and of all his powerful officials; the LORD my God has given me courage, and I have been able to persuade many of the heads of the clans of Israel to return with me."

Listen now to my prayer and to the prayers of all your other servants who want to honor you. Give me success today and make the emperor merciful to me." In those days I was the emperor's wine steward.

"Go and get all the Jews in Susa together; hold a fast and pray for me. Don't eat or drink anything for three days and nights. My servant women and I will be doing the same. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. If I must die for doing it, I will die."

Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call.

and that his love is constant. You yourself, O Lord, reward everyone according to their deeds.

Remember what happened long ago; acknowledge that I alone am God and that there is no one else like me.

I am calling a man to come from the east; he will swoop down like a hawk and accomplish what I have planned. I have spoken, and it will be done.

He looks on the people of the earth as nothing; angels in heaven and people on earth are under his control. No one can oppose his will or question what he does.